Tuesday, 3 March 2015

English Civil War Diary - Entry Number 15

The latest instalment of the fictional diary, already I have changed the course of history, in the real world, The Skirmish at Balk Wood never took place, and King Charles I did actually demand, unsuccessfully, to be allowed into the town of Hull. The Earl of Newcastle was forced to lay siege.

Plan
of Action.

Meeting
Room, White Hart Inn, Hull.

28th
March 1642. 8pm.

After
reading aloud the latest report from his source, Peregrine Pelham sat
back in his chair and took delight as he watched the mixed reactions
of the other men in the room. He awaited the questions that he knew
would follow. He was not disappointed.

'This
information,' enquired Sir John Hotham, 'Is it just as reliable as
the previous intelligence that allowed the taking of the plate near
Pocklington?'

Pelham
smiled and tapped the side of his nose with his right forefinger, 'It
is from the very same source as the previous detailed information, I
have no doubts this is just as accurate.'

Sir
John's son, captain of the horse regiment that was involved in the
capture of Sir Royston's plate, nodded.

'So the
king is not going to lay siege to the town,' he looked at Colonel
Septimus Gryndell. The latter was staring at the panelled wall
opposite, rubbing his chin, as he always did when in deep thought.

'Apparently
not,' once again the practised smile was curling Pelham's lips. 'If
he was, he would need his whole force to assault the town and the
citadel, not a task to be taken lightly or one that could be achieved
quickly.'

'They
are not going to ignore the fact that this town is for Parliament,'
continued Sir John, 'most of the North has or will, side with the
king. Those towns that resist, will be taken by Newcastle and his
army,' he looked at the other three men before continuing, 'They do
not have the protection of our citadel, river or even town walls in
many cases.'

The
town walls of Hull had been neglected for many years and allowed to
crumble in places. Strenuous work was even now being carried out, to
ensure they could stand against attack by an enemy. Even with the
repairs, it was doubtful that the defences could withstand heavy
artillery fire for very long. The citadel, with its huge thick walls
was the key to everything, it controlled the town and the river, its
powerful guns could reach far out into the River Humber, controlling
any shipping that ventured too close with hostile intent. More
importantly, it overlooked the town itself, to capture Hull you had
to take the citadel first.

'What
say you Septimus?' Sir John said, looking at the Colonel of the Hull
Trained Band. All eyes turned to Septimus, so far silent at this
meeting, still rubbing his chain and staring at the dark wooden
panelling of the wall opposite, looking but seeing nothing, but his
ears had been listening to every word that had been uttered. He
slowly turned to face the others.

'Aye I
would lay siege right enough,' he spoke barely above a whisper, 'I
would also put a ring of steel around the town, no one could enter or
leave without me knowing it. I would occupy the villages of Hessle to
the West and Hedon to the East, I would also take Beverley to the
North. Of course, it all depends on how many men I had to carry out
the task.' Septimus was warming to the problem, 'The king is taking
the bulk of his army to Nottingham, but leaving the Earl of Newcastle
with a sizeable force to control the North. He has a huge area to
manage and will need all the men he can muster, I'll warrant that
doesn't leave much for our friend Mister Twiston-Rawlings to
command.'

The
others nodded their agreement, Septimus continued, 'We have previous
dealings with that popinjay, he is a fool and knows little or nothing
of military matters.' He smiled, 'That gentlemen, is to our advantage
I believe.'

Sir
John smiled, 'I believe you are hatching a plan my dear Septimus, I
recognise that glint in your eye.'

'Indeed
I am sir! Septimus answered, once more a smile on his lips. 'We have
one regiment of foot in the town, fully manned and already blooded in
action. A second is currently being formed and trained, we have
John's regiment of horse too. Granted the town could not sustain more
than that, especially if we have to rely on supply by sea. However, I
doubt that our wounded hero, will have much more under his command.'

The
others nodded in agreement, Sir John invited Septimus to continue.

'I
suggest we become such a nuisance, a thorn in the side of the
Royalists by constant hit and run raids, that the earl will have to
release more of his valuable troops to try and control the area. Of
course we cannot afford any major engagements, but we could tie down
an enemy force three or four times our size.

Pelham
spoke, 'But what of the ring of steel you mentioned, won't that
prevent these...' he pulled a face, 'Hit and run raids?'

'No
Sir!' growled Septimus, 'A ring of steel is what I would put around
the town, that fool will have no more than one his fine silk
handkerchiefs hanging on the odd branch.

The
other men laughed, and Pelham quickly felt his cuff, making sure his
own silk handkerchief was not visible...

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Just ramblings about my growing collection of 28mm miniatures, mainly English Civil War.

A 63 year old schoolboy who likes painting and playing war games with model soldiers.

I served in the Royal Navy, Humberside Police Force and for the past fifteen years, as a teaching assistant at a local Primary School. I have now retired from work.

Married for 39 years, my wife sadly suffered a stroke nine years ago, which has confined her to a wheelchair.

I have recently started a blog 'My 28mm Soldier Journey' which shows lots of photographs, battle reports, what I am currently painting and a fictional diary of The War of the Three Kingdoms, better known as the English Civil War. I also have two large 6mm armies for the American Civil War as well as a large number of 28mm Wars of the Roses figures, the latter being used for an imagi-nation type narrative known as The Saga of Yolare. A medieval Arab army has joined the ranks and I am also venturing into the American War of Independence and its forerunner the French & Indian War in 28 mm. Now embarking on a 10mm Napoleonic journey.